By Jacob Onuha Nelson
The government in Eastern Equatoria State has condemned the recent assault in Kapoeta County.
Speaking to the media on Friday in Kapoeta headquarters, Governor Louis Lobong Lojore condemned the incident.
The condemnation followed Thursday’s attack on the National Security based in Torit by a suspected opposition armed group.
In order to restore stability, the EES governor on Friday visited the area, where he conducted a rally and called for calm.
The governor stated that his visit with the government delegation is intended to de-escalate the unfortunate incident where a criminal attacked the security office and caused injuries to security personnel.
“Such attacks not only endanger lives but also undermine the peace and stability that our communities desperately need. I call upon the entire community of Kapoeta counties and across Eastern Equatoria states to refrain from such a criminal action,” he said.
He urged the citizens to cease violence.
“Let us embrace peace, unity, and togetherness so that the state government and local authority can execute their development agenda without disruption,” Lobong assured the crowd of people.
Meanwhile, Paul Lokale, the Commissioner of Kapoeta South County, called upon the Toposa community to uphold peace and unity.
“I particularly call upon the Toposa community to continue to uphold peace and unity as a cultural norm of togetherness rooted in the history of our community, for our generational strength,” Lokale emphasized.
“It is now our responsibility to ensure that this legacy is not broken by the action of a few misguided individuals. Peace is the foundation of security, and security is the builder of development,” he added.
In his part, Opeye Osami Akerewole, the youth representative in greater Kapoeta, reaffirmed commitment toward peace and unity.
“Let us (youth) stand united as one people of Eastern Equatoria State, rejecting violence, racism, and conflict, and move forward together in building a strong, more prosperous society for our children,” Osami noted.
However, Josephine Napeyok Lojore, the representative of women in greater Kapoeta County, condemned the assault and urged the youths to stop being used.
“We women condemned the assaults that happened yesterday. We women are struggling to provide something for your future while you’re here trying to destroy your future. We women stand for peace in EES and South Sudan at large,” Napeyok wept.
She urged the youth to focus on initiatives that strengthen peace and reconciliation.
“People who once fought last time got finished all. I kindly urge you youths to take this advice and stop the violence in greater Kapoeta,” Napeyok narrated.
However, Kapoeta County had been facing a worse humanitarian situation marked by ongoing conflict and violence that included the cattle raids and child abductions between the Toposa and Murle communities.